Update: I was unfortunately not aware of Shamus Young's severe criticism of Fallout 3 available here to link in the original piece and I regret that. It dovetails rather nicely with what I've written and it's much better executed than my piece. I strongly recommend anyone...

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Screenshots

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – August 23, 2006 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced new details for Metal Gear Solid®: Portable Ops, the newest installment in the Metal Gear saga for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Redefining tactical espionage action on handheld gaming systems, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops will feature groundbreaking online play that will let gamers recruit their own comrades to create a unique fighting force as well as a full-fledged single player experience tied to the ongoing Metal Gear Solid storyline.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops delivers the series’ trademark stealth action to the PSP system while introducing several new elements that add even more depth and variety to Big Boss’ latest mission. As players progress through the single-player campaign of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, they will be able to recruit comrades to create an original fighting force. In addition to enemy soldiers, players can also recruit unique and rare non-player characters (NPCs) depending on their action in certain situations, building an armed force suited to their personal style of play. Each character will have a unique rating based on a sequence of personal attributes. Depending on the rating of the character, they will either excel or be deficient in a variety of combat skills, giving the player the ability to outfit their squadron with characters that fit the need of each particular situation.

Highlighting the wireless capabilities of the PSP system, the game will offer a number of familiar characters from the previous Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater game for the player to recruit, depending on their location. Based on the unique IP address contained in all wireless hot spots, players can locate and download characters unique to that spot. No logging on to the hot spot is required – players need only to locate a wireless access point in order to generate the data to recruit that character. These characters can then be formed into a four character team and taken online for multiplayer battles against opposing users.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops also introduces a new “White Flag” system to the game’s multiplayer modes, letting players choose to surrender and live to fight again or battle to the death and risk permanently losing some of their most valuable comrades. Placing emphasis on stealth gameplay, the White Flag system further evolves online play for the Metal Gear series and creates a bond between the player and their team as they work together to achieve their objectives.

The single player campaign of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops follows the events of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, with Big Boss awakening in prison to find his former unit, FOX, has started a bloody revolt in South America. Set in 1970, the game acts as a missing link in the ongoing Metal Gear Solid narrative, as players learn more about returning characters such as Para-Medic, Major Zero and Sigint and also witness Big Boss’ greatest tragedy – one that sets into motion the events of later games in the series’ timeline.

The story of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops will be brought to life through powerful and fully-voiced cut scenes featuring original artwork by acclaimed visualist Ashley Wood. The game will feature an impressive voice cast, with actors from previous Metal Gear Solid titles returning for Big Boss’ PSP system adventure. David Hayter will again voice Big Boss, while James Mathis and Jim Piddock return as Sigint and Major Zero, respectively.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops will launch for the PSP system this winter.

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